Can a Bad Relationship Lead to PTSD?

Note: I am 100% aware this is not the place to get a diagnosis. I just was curious if I should seek help for this.

Trigger warning: death threats, minor violence mentions, general aggression

Long story short: 3 years after a possibly abusive relationship I take every step to avoid any possibility of seeing my ex. I have a strong, panic response to any mentions of him or things I unconsciously associate with him.

My first serious relationship was 3 years ago and it lasted about a year; it was during my final year of high school. I can’t really remember anything about the relationship. I just remember him being a very angry, violent person. This anger was never directed towards me (he’d scream at his and my family and friends, throw/break everything, scream at other students and staff until he had to be asked to go home etc.)
With the severe anxiety I have, these violent outbursts were very distressing and I ate so little during the relationship, would pick my skin and hair, etc. Because of all of this stress I broke up with him.

All of these combined, now I have such an indescribable fear of possibly seeing him or his family in public. I will avoid entire towns that I know he’s often in, I won’t go to restaurants if I know he’s eaten there and hearing songs or mentions of things he likes sends me into an extreme anxiety attack that usually lasts the rest of the day. Things I don’t even remember like “x” tv show he liked if mentioned will just flip a switch in my brain and it’s panic mode out of nowhere. It’s been 3 years and going out in public by myself is still something I really struggle to do. For the first time since graduating I saw him in public a few weeks ago and it’s been devastating. Even with a mask on he recognized me, held an awful glare and followed me around the store I was in. He was mumbling something aggressively but I couldn’t understand it. I got out as quick as I could but it was awful and I didn’t leave the house for days. I have reoccurring nightmares about him even now and it’s not at all logical, I don’t understand it.

I’m not sure what this is but recently I was talking to a friend of mine who has been diagnosed with PTSD and he suggested I consider getting help for it.

Yes an abusive relationship and cause a person to developer ptsd.

It would help you if you spent time with a trauma therapist.

Do talk to a therapist skilled in dealing with domestic violence/abuse/---
I am old now but as a teen I was stalked by a former bf----I never told anyone, I didn't really understand what was happening but he turned up 20yrs later at my brother's and sent a couple of bizarre letters through my father---it was only then that memories flooded back and I realized how much it had affected me in my relationships without my making the connection-------(I was big on Denial as a coping mechanism)

Therapy for sure and also, you might consider moving. Far away. And telling noone and having no social media presence.

I agree that an abusive relationship can cause a person to develop PTSD.

I also suggest trauma therapy.

I also suggest moving far away from that abusive.

When is the last time he contacted you?